Sonar pings #103 – two away victories, two steps closer to the title

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Palmeiras again without Gabriel Jesus, Yerry Mina and Lucas Barrios – the trio serving their national squads – still managed two away wins, 2-3 against Santa Cruz and 0-2 against América Mineiro, slightly distancing themselves from Flamengo. The cariocas only drew against São Paulo before today beating Santa Cruz, but as of next week initiate a tough sequel composed of Fluminense (a), Internacional (a), Corinthians (h) and Atlético Mineiro (a).

Atlético Mineiro are, presumably, looking at an easier path in the forthcoming rounds – América Mineiro (h), Botafogo (a), Figueirense (h) and Flamengo (h) – but cannot afford any mistakes, as they are currently seven point behind. We are certainly at a decisive moment, for both our contenders.

Palmeiras can and should nothing but focus on the upcoming tasks: Cruzeiro (h), Figueirense (a), Sport (h) and Santos (a)...
What is to be expected from Palmeiras in the next four rounds? Hard to tell. Against Santa Cruz Palmeiras were forcefully imposing, energetic and courageous. Today, against América Mineiro, the numerous palmeirenses at the Estádio do Café were treated to a sleeping pill like you wouldn’t believe. Palmeiras rarely play well against, on paper, lesser opponents: there is something crooked on the motivational side, has been like that for years. That being said, there is only so much room for complaint with the team beating weaker opposition even playing badly, then stepping it up against the likes of Inter, Corinthians, Fluminense. Possibly, today’s apathy of virtually relegated América Mineiro contributed to the laidback attitude of the Palmeiras squad. At the Allianz Parque, against Cruzeiro (to whom Palmeiras lost earlier this year) we should see a different Palmeiras.